Photography

“Black Friday” by Seph Lawless

Self-described American-based artist and political activist/artivist, Seph Lawlessset out to photograph two shopping malls in Ohio that are now abandoned as a result of the economic recession. Once centers of activity for their communities, they are now overgrown with vegetation, floodwaters, and decay; an unfortunate trend that is sweeping through shopping centers across the nation. "It's a powerful symbol of America's economic decline,” explains Lawless. “I used to visit these malls often growing up. I remember eating cotton candy underneath the escalator and the sounds of people laughing and feet shuffling as the gentle sounds of falling water from one of the many fountains surrounded me. This was America.” A book of the work titled “Black Friday: The Collapse of the American Shopping Mall” has been released by Artivist Publishing and is available to order on Lawless’s website. Proceeds made from the book’s sales will go towards the Ohio Association of Foodbanks.